As addendum on what I presented to them, I found that the State actually was giving each VFD $45.000/ year and the County $17,000. This is a substantial increase from I had heard/ read earlier. So Vienna VFD is actually gets close to $375,000.00/ in both indirect and direct funding minus the ice cream social; donation requests and grant approval. It is for sure in fat city. It and Williamstown plus Mineral Wells are all doing well. That leaves the other seven in some sort of possible distress.
Mr. Couch was kind enough to say my presentation had some good points and noted the Commission was already collecting some of the Data I also mentioned. So here is the document to the County Commission today:
Wood County Commission
Mr. Tebay
Mr. Gainer
Mr. Couch
27 July 2015
Gentlemen;
I would like to voice some thoughts on the Wood County Fire Board Tax and its real need?
Do you know the Vienna Fire Department receives:
- On or about $100,000. in Salary/ Benefits per year for its Fire Chief as of 1 July 2015?
- Has two (2) other full time employees earning around $100,000. in Salary/ Benefits per year as 1 July 2015?
- Receives around $100,000. in Fire Fees each year from 4400 Residential Property Owners @ $1.90/month?
- There are 600 Businesses that pay a fee? I do not know exactly what it is, but let us say the standard $1.90/ month. That would be about another $12,000./ year.
- They also get $17,500. from the County.
- They also get $22,000. from the State.
- The ice cream social is another money raiser.
- As with other VFD there are mailings sent out for Donations.
- Plus one should not forget the Grants from whatever source?
The Vienna VFD is receiving directly and indirectly over $350,000/ year in support and is still crying for more.
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It has been said the VFDs need $80.000 to maintain. What is that money actually used for? Each receives $39,000. from the County/ State.
Would it not be the responsibility of the County Commission to determine how much each FD gets from ALL sources a year to determine what is any actual need? I suspect the argument is that the Commission cannot do that request? Than why are the VFDs at Commission looking for the approval of a Fee (tax) or a Levy? It does have the authority to question these Revenues/ Expenses.
I have suggested look at combining the 10 VF Departments into 4 or 5 Fire Districts made up of 2 or 3 of the current departments. This would allow for better use of:
- Equipment/Resources;
- People;
- Funds.
This would allow for say a pump from one Station and a Ladder Truck from the other OR an immediate send out of whatever from the two at once. No further delay for asking for additional crews.
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For Fund purposes, it would so much easier for any “District” to use combined funds for a new Pump or Ladder or whatever that would serve 2 or three Stations as needed.
Some of the advantages are truly very obvious but I do recognize the 800 pound Gorilla- EGO, EGO and more EGO. But should the Public Safety of our County be trapped by EGO?
And yet, one more suggestion if a Fee (tax) is forced on people. Look at each Department if not a District and those areas that each one is mandated to support. In Vienna in apparently consists of Central and Boaz to the North. Then currently I believe Williamstown picks up the rest of the area? Vienna does NOT need more money so it could charge by Fee (tax) or a levy only the $1.90/ month currently being charged to City Residents. Same concept could be applied to each of the other Departments or Districts. Determine a Fee (tax) based on current payments within each Jurisdiction? Some might very well be $3.00? Others not so much.
If seems there are other possible and viable options for fairness to those who have to pay the bills. They should ALL be considered. It some one says a certain Law now conflicts, we have our trusty Senators/ Delegates move for an Amendment or Repeal.
Humbly
Lawrence Wilson
1312 10th St.
Vienna WV.
304.295.4801
vienna-wvissues.weebly.com
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